The role of sound and auditory displays in telescope control rooms: a pilot study

Abstract

Astronomers are often stereotyped as gazing at the stars. Today, they mainly visually inspect digital data they receive from telescopes in remote observatories. One of the most complex is the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile. Multiple streams of information converge in the VLT control room, where telescopes and instruments are managed, with operators handling numerous tasks on dozens of screens in a challenging environment, marked by harsh geography, intense work rhythms, and isolation. Sound and sonification can represent an efficient novel means for data monitoring with efficiency and operator wellness in mind. We present insights from a qualitative pilot study aimed at assessing the current use of sound in the VLT control room to identify directions for the design of new auditory displays. Based on the analysis of questionnaires and interviews with VLT personnel, we identify the key characteristics of the current use of sound and describe opportunities for improved design strategies to integrate auditory displays in telescope control rooms to support decision-making, improve situational awareness, and reduce cognitive load.